However, we do not consider midwife-led care a downgrading, but a reflection of high-quality provision of maternity services ensuring many women can have their care, including during birth, locally and safely. Research, such as the University of Oxford's Birthplace study in 2011, has demonstrated clearly the safety of midwife-led care for low-risk pregnant women – those without medical complications.

Mothers need and deserve a choice of where to give birth, such as midwife-led units, and access to home birth, as well as access to a traditional consultant-led unit.

The Royal College of Midwives does not support the closure of the obstetric unit at Lewisham as we do not believe there is adequate capacity in other south London services to ensure all women receive safe care. Indeed, we have been proud to march with local midwives on the protest marches organised by Save Lewisham Hospital campaign.

However, if the decision is taken to close the obstetric unit at Lewisham it will be in the interests of women and their families for all concerned to stop decrying midwifery-led units.Professor Cathy WarwickChief executive, Royal College of Midwives